Nick Viall broke his silence after a contestant from his season of The Bachelor passed away last week.
As we previously reported, Hailey Merkt died from cancer at the age of 31 last Friday. The former reality star was diagnosed with leukemia and had been documenting her health battle on social media since last year. According to a GoFundMe page, Hailey was finally “leukemia free” in April following a bone marrow transplant. But six weeks later, things took a devastating turn. She received the terrible news that the “leukemia cells were back and moving fast.” Sadly, Hailey lost her battle with cancer on July 26. Her death was announced on her Instagram account Tuesday, with loved ones saying:
“Hailey faced this journey with unimaginable strength, grace, and selflessness. Her determination, courage, and will to live surpassed every timeline the doctors gave her, and she chose to spend her final moments surrounded by loved ones and doing what she cherished most with no regrets. She will forever be remembered as anything but boring, always hysterically funny, and as someone who lived fully in the present moment. Hailey embraced life with an unmatched zest; her beautiful spirit has touched countless lives.”
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Following the announcement, friends, fans, and fellow Bachelor alums left touching tributes in the comments section. Now, Nick is taking a moment to remember “sweet and kind” Hailey. He said on Thursday’s episode of The Viall Files:
“On a very sad note, Hailey Merkt passed away. Hailey was on my season of The Bachelor. She left week 2. I didn’t really get to know her very well at all, but I very much vividly remember her, and I remember her to be very sweet and kind.”
Noting how “it’s just very tragic” how Hailey died, Nick continued:
“She struggled with a very tough battle of leukemia it sounds like, and recently passed away, so our love and hearts go out to her family, who are obviously going through it. It sounds like she really put up a very courageous fight, and, unfortunately, she is with us no more. But very sad to see that she passed, and we’re definitely praying for her and her family.”
It’s awful Hailey passed away so young. Our hearts just break for her family! Watch the podcast episode (below):
We continue to send our love to Hailey’s loved ones during this difficult time. Reactions to Nick’s statement? Let us know in the comments.
[Image via Hailey Merkt/Instagram, Bachelor Nation on ABC/YouTube]
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